The Hope for North Brevard Thrift store seemed like a home run when it opened in 2009.

The store, located on Garden Street in Titusville, was doing well despite a stagnant economy. Customers, donations and revenue were flowing, allowing for a funnel of money to the nonprofit organization it supported, Hope for North Brevard, Inc. The nonprofit supports community development, counseling, youth services and mentoring programs.

"We didn’t even know if this thing was going to make money, but it did," said executive director Trey Gordon. "It was over 60 percent of our income to support Hope for North Brevard."

Not to mention, the other functions it served. The organization was able to help families in need with the goods donated and create a career training program for those with disabilities.

But things took a turn for the worse — and quickly.

Just a year later, the store was hemorrhaging money. Year after year, it got worse until Gordon finally decided to shut down the operation. It was purely financial, he said, and the store permanently closed Thursday.

"I've beat my head against the wall trying to make that business better and more successful, but I could only push that rock uphill," said Gordon. "... When you’ve got $9,000 in expenses in rent, payroll and utilities to make a dollar, that’s hard to do."

The Hope for North Brevard Thrift Store is just one example of a used retail market that is wavering in the midst of online shopping and big box closures. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the number of used merchandise stores abruptly dropped from 20,092 establishments in 2014 to 17,866 establishments in 2015, indicating store closures nationwide. The numbers echo a trend seen across retail, where once-untouchable brands such as Macy's and Target are shuttering brick and mortar locations. Fung Global Retail & Technology released a report that set 2017 as a record year for store closures, even outpacing 2008, the year of widespread financial crisis.

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The Hope for North Brevard Thrift Store in Titusville closed permanently Nov. 30. The remaining clothing will be sent to Puerto Rico and Haiti.(Photo: Jessica Saggio, FLORIDA TODAY)

In the same town as the Hope for North Brevard store, both the Salvation Army and Molly Mutts thrift shops have closed during the past year. The Brevard Humane Society continues to operate four other Molly Mutt thrift shops in the county including stores in Merritt Island, Rockledge, Melbourne and Palm Bay. Salvation Army operates another thrift store in Melbourne.

"It’s pretty competitive (in Titusville) there are a lot of options," said Gordon on the thrift store market in North Brevard.

The Salvation Army also closed for financial reasons, said Major James Spencer, who heads the Salvation Army North Central Brevard-Florida Division. He, too, said the competition was tight in the area, but the organization hopes to reopen the thrift store in a different location. He wasn't sure when that would occur or where.

"Over the course of the last five years, we've had financial issues with the entire store," he said. "It was no particular one thing, it was a gathering of things to close the store."

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The Salvation Army Thrift Store on U.S. 1 in Titusville closed earlier this year.(Photo: Jessica Saggio, FLORIDA TODAY)

But not all thrift stores are failing, some are actually growing. Goodwill Industries of Central Florida has opened 18 stores since 2010, said president Bill Oakley. Most of the stores were relocations, but included serious upgrades into new buildings. Oakley said the organization's goal is to become more visible and offer amenities that thrift stores aren't usually known for: a clean environment, dressing rooms, extended shopping hours and a liberal return policy.

"Retail is detail and trying to attend to the detail of the business, to keep an attractive environment and stay up on the little things, that distinguishes us from other competitors," he said.

In Brevard, Goodwill's presence has shifted. The Melbourne store was moved to West Melbourne, another Melbourne store was moved up the road a bit, Merritt Island's location was moved to a more visible spot on Courtenay Parkway and Palm Bay's Goodwill store shifted to Malabar.

The organization is also tapping into online resources.

Goodwill uses a program called Offer Up to advertise items available for purchase in its stores.

"We're trying to combine social media and e-commerce with our retail brick and mortar to drive traffic. We use Offer Up to give shoppers examples of exceptional items that they may want to come in an shop for," said Oakley, noting that those who wish to purchase an item on Offer Up must visit the store. " ... That way we’re also not stripping the article out of store."

Thrift stores are battling online resources where people can skip the donation and turn used items for a profit very easily. Facebook Marketplace, online buy/sell/trade groups, Craigslist and others have emerged in the wake of the social media phenomenon.

Oakley, however, doesn't feel that's enough to kill the business.

"There is a concern, but that’s not new. When I started in the 70s people were concerned about garage sales and that would take the thrift store market out," he said. "Yard sales are usually time limited, it's cash and carry and buyer-beware. ... One thing about goodwill is we’re here all year long and we’re a little more reliable."

SPCA of Brevard also runs successful used merchandise stores, including busy locations in Titusville and Merritt Island. A packed parking lot with cars overflowing into the street is not an uncommon sight at the Titusville store on weekends.

Jamey Blythe, manager of the SPCA thrift store in Titusville, said he thinks it's location and the cause the store supports.

"I believe there’s a good influx people in this area that are either moving, or looking for furniture or household items," he said of the store located on U.S. 1. "Also, I think there’s a lot pf people behind our mission, we’re blessed to have people who support our cause and love animals."

Still, the now dilapidated Salvation Army building sits vacant just a few miles north on the same road.

For consumers, it's a mixed bag for what drives them to shop. FLORIDA TODAY led a conversation on Facebook asking for input about local thrift stores. Commenters noted that environment and prices were the most important factors. Smell, cleanliness, lighting and organization were are key.

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Deborah Sweredoski checks out a customer at the Goodwill store on U.S. 1 in Rockledge. The store was bustling with customers to the point there were no parking spots available outside.(Photo: Jessica Saggio, FLORIDA TODAY)

As for Hope of North Brevard, the thrift store fundraising approach didn't work, but the organization has adapted. Its revenue source has switched from the thrift store to an annual gala and the Lights of Hope event hosted each December. The holiday event kicks off Dec. 8 and runs every weekend through Christmas at Sand Point Park.

"Our vision was not to start a thrift store, it was to support services," said Gordon.

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The Hope for North Brevard Thrift Store closed Nov. 30 after 8 years in operation. It was purely financial, the executive director said.(Photo: Jessica Saggio, FLORIDA TODAY)